Whenever an animal is in a state of plethora, and the usual amount of morbific matter cannot find egress, some portion of it is reabsorbed, producing a deleterious effect: the urine will then be high colored, plainly demonstrating that nature is making an effort to rid the system of useless material, and will do so unless interfered with by the use of means opposed to the cure, such as blood-letting, physicking, and diuretics.
The urine will appear high colored, and approach a red hue, in many cows after calving, in inflammation of the womb, gastric fever, puerperal fever, fevers generally, inflammation of the kidneys, indigestion; in short, many forms of acute disease are accompanied by high-colored urine.
The treatment, like that of any other form of derangement, must be general. Excite all parts of the system to healthy action. If the bowels are constipated, give the following:--
Golden seal, 1 table-spoonful.
Thoroughwort tea, 2 quarts.
To be given at a dose. Scalded shorts will be the most suitable food, if any is required; but, generally, abstinence is necessary, especially if the animal be fat. If the surface and extremities are cold, give an infusion of pennyroyal, catnip, sage, or hyssop; and rub the belly and legs with
Hot vinegar, 1 quart.
Powdered lobelia or cayenne, 1 ounce.
If the kidneys are inflamed,--which may be known by tenderness in the region of the loins, and by the animal standing with the legs widely separated,--the urine being of a dark red color, then, in addition to the application of stimulating liniment to the belly and legs, a poultice may be placed over the kidneys.
_Poultice for inflamed Kidneys._
Slippery elm, 8 ounces.
Lobelia, 4 ounces.
Boiling water sufficient.
_Another._
Linseed, } equal parts Marshmallows, } Boiling water sufficient.
Lay the poultice on the loins, pa.s.s a cloth over it, and secure under the belly.
A drink of marshmallows is the only fluid that can with safety be allowed.
If the horns, ears, and surface are hot, sponge the whole surface with weak lie or saleratus water, and give the following antifebrile drink:--
Lemon balm, 2 ounces.
Cream of tartar, 1 ounce.
Boiling water, 2 quarts.
Honey, 1 gill.
When cold, strain, and give a pint every fifteen minutes.
If the bowels are constipated, use injections of soap-suds.
Suppose the animal to be in poor condition, hide bound, liver inactive, the excrement of a dark color and fetid odor. Then use
Powdered golden seal, 2 ounces.
" caraways, 1 ounce.
" cayenne, 1 tea-spoonful.
Poplar bark, or slippery elm, 2 ounces.
Mix, divide into ten parts, and give one, in thin gruel, three times a day. The animal should be fed on boiled carrots, scalded shorts, into which a few handfuls of meal or flour may be stirred. In short, consider the nature of the case; look beyond the symptoms, ascertain the cause, and, if possible, remove it. An infusion of either of the following articles may be given at discretion: marshmallows, linseed, juniper berries, pond lily roots, poplar bark, or queen of the meadow.
Mr. Cole remarks that "red water is most common in cows of weak const.i.tution, a general relaxation, poor blood, &c."
In such cases, a nutritious diet, cleanliness, good nursing, friction on the surface, comfortable quarters at night, and an occasional tonic will accomplish wonders.
_Tonic Mixture._
Powdered golden seal, 1 tea-spoonful.
" balmony, 2 tea-spoonfuls.
Mix the above in shorts or meal. Repeat night and morning until convalescence is established. In cases of great prostration, where it is necessary to act with prompt.i.tude, the following infusion may be subst.i.tuted:--
Thoroughwort, } Golden seal, } of each, 1 ounce.
Camomile flowers, } Boiling water, 2 quarts.
After standing one hour, strain, and give a pint every four hours.
BLACK WATER.
My plan of treatment, in this malady, is similar to that for red water.
In both cases, it is indispensable to attend to the general health, to promote the discharge of all the secretions, to remove all obstructions to the full and free play of all parts of the living machinery. The same remedies recommended in the preceding article are equally good in this case, only they must be more perseveringly applied.
THICK URINE.
Whenever the urine is thick and turbid, deficient in quant.i.ty, or voided with difficulty, either of the following prescriptions may be administered:--
Juniper berries, 2 ounces.
Boiling water, 2 quarts.
Strain. Dose, 1 pint every four hours.
_Another._
Slippery elm, 1 ounce.
Poplar bark, 2 ounces.
Make a tea; sweeten with mola.s.ses, and give pint doses every four hours.
_Another._
Make a tea of cedar or pine boughs, sweeten with honey, and give it at discretion.